Blowout preventer



w. M. oRElLLY BLowoU'r PREVENTER Nov. 12, 1957 Filed Dec. 2.1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

47 I Il jNov. l2, 1957 w. M. oRElLLY BLOWOUT PREVENTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 aan Filed Dec. 21, 1954 United States Patent dice 2,812,822 Patented Nov. 12, 1957 BLOWOUT PREVENTER Wallace M. OReilly, Houston, Tex., assigner, `by mesne assignments, to Esso Research and Engineering Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application December 21, 1954, Serial No. 476,617 Claims. (Cl. 166-224) The present invention is directed to a blowout preventer. More particularly, the invention is directed to a subsurface blowout preventer for automatically shutting in wells. ln its more specific aspects, the invention is directed to a subsurface blowout preventer which will automatically shut in wells at levels in the well substantially below the level from which operations are conducted.

The present invention may be briefly described as a subsurface blowout preventer which is adapted to be arranged in a tubing string in a well casing to seal oit the annulus between `the tubing and casing and to close the tubing. The invention comprises a tubular mandrel `provided with a port intermediate the length thereof arranged in the tubing and a fluid expansible packer means arranged on `the mandrel `and enclosing the port adapted to seal oit the annulus between the tubing and casing. Movable piston means is arranged on the mandrel movable between first and second positions. Movable closure means is connected to the mandrel and is adapted to close off the port when in a `first position and to .close off the tubing when in a second position. Means is connected to the piston means adapted to move the closure means to the first position when the piston is in the second position. Biasing means is positioned between said piston means and said closure means adapted to urge said piston to the first position. Fluid pressure means is provided for supplying fluid pressure to the piston means to move the piston from the first to the second position and means is arranged on the mandrel for exhausting uid from the packer means when the piston is in the second position.

The present invention will be further illustrated by reference to the drawing in which:

Fig. l is a sectional View `of an embodiment with the blowout preventer in inoperative condition;

Fig. 2 shows the blowout preventer of Fig. 1 in seal- `ing relationship with the well casing and the tubing closed;

Fig. 3 is a modification of Fig. 2 showing the blowout preventer in open or in inoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the blowout preventer of Fig. 3 in operative or closed position; and

Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of the device of Figs. l through 3, positioned in a cased borehole.

Referring now to the drawing in which identical numerals will be employed to designate identical parts and particularly to Figs. l and 2, numeral 11 designates a well casing in a well having a tubing 12 arranged therein to which is connected by mating threads 13 a packer mandrel i4. Attached to the packer mandrel 14 by mating threads 15 is an annular sleeve 16 which serves to hold a packing member 17 in attached relationship to the packer mandrel 14 at its upper. end. A seating member 11.3 provided with a seating surface 19 having a sealing member 20 arranged in a recess 21 therein is attached by mating `threads 22 to the lower end of the mandrel 14. An annular sleeve member 23 which is similar to sleeve member 16 is threadably connected to the seating member i8 by mating threads 24 and serves to confine the lower end of the packing member 17 into attached relationship to the seating member 15. A tubing section 25 is threadably connected by mating threads 26 to the seating member 18.

It will be seen that the apparatus of the present invention forms an integral part of the tubing string and hasa continuous internal passageway 27 therethrough.

The tubing section 12 projects into the mandrel 14 and deiines therewith a pressure chamber 28 which is adapted to receive through passageway 29 in the mandrel 14 and through a `conduit 30, which extends to the earths surface, a supply of pressuring fluid, the conduit 30 being threadably attached to the passageway 29 by mating threads 31. It is understood of course that pressure `chamber 2S may be formed integrally in mandrel 14.

A passageway 32 in mandrel 14 communicates by lateral passageway 33 with the space between the packing member 17 and exterior of the mandrel 14.

Extending into the pressure chamber 28 is a slidable sleeve or piston 34 to the lower end of which is attached by mating threads 35 a mandrel 36. Attached to the upper end of the sleeve 34 is a sealing stud or pin 37 which projects into the passageway 32 and serves to close oi the passageway 33 on upward movement of the slidable sleeve 34. It is desirable to provide a sealing mem- .ber 37a for the rod member 37.

Attached by mating threads 38 to the mandrel 14 is a plurality of downwardly extending leaf-spring members 39 `which are normally biased in an open position by the mandrel 36 as shown in Fig. 1. Spring members 39 may suitably have `a sheath of deformable material such as synthetic or natural rubber. The lower end of the mandrel 36 has an upwardly `facing `taper 40 adapted to matingly engage `with `a `downwardly facing taper 41 of the leaf-spring 39. The mandrel 36 also has a downwardly facing taper 42 which is adapted to seat on the seating surface 19 of the seating member 18, as shown in Fig. l, and to seal oli ports 43 in the mandrel 14 which serve to communicate with'the exterior surface of the `mandrel 14 and to provide fluid ingress to expand the packer 17.

The springs 39 are designed to engage with each other and overlap to dene a curvilinear closure member, such as indicated by the numeral 39a and as shown more clearly in Fig. 2.

The slidable sleeve 34 is provided with sealing members 44 and 45 and 46 and 47, in the upper end of the slidable sleeve 34 to provide a seal `between the tubing section 12 and the mandrel 14 on `movement of the slidable sleeve. Another sealing member 52 is also provided to seal with the tubing section 12. These several sealing members may suitably be `(2t-rings and the like.

The upper end of the several leaf-springs 39 is also provided with sealing members 54 and 55, for forming a seal with the mandrel36. Arranged between the lower end `of the sleeve 34 and the upper end of the spring 39 and normally urging the sleeve 34 in an upwarddirection is a biasing means, such as a helical coil spring 58.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a modification of Figs. land f2 is `presented in which a different type of expansible `closure means .composed of leaf-springs is provided. Similar parts in Figs. 3 and 4 will be designated -by identicalnumeralsto thoseused `in Figs. l and 2.

1n Figs. 3 and 4 a mandrel 70 is threadably attached by mating threads 72 to the lower en'd of the slidable sleeve or piston 34. This mandrel 7 tl is provided with a seating surface 73 on the lower end thereof `for seating on the seat 19 of the seating member 18. A plurality of downwardly depending leafasprings 74 are threadably attached by mating threads 75 to the mandrel 14. 'Ihese downwardly depending sleeve members 75 are covered with a deformable sheath 76, such as synthetic rubber and the like, which extend over the exterior surface and lap over the ends 77 of the spring members 74. The upper ends of the spring members 74 are provided with sealing members 78 and 79 for sealing with the mandrel 70.V

The free ends 77 of the springs 74 are adapted when released to form a conical closure member S2 and form a seal as shown in Fig. 4.

Turning now to Fig. 5 the device of the present invention is shown positioned in the casing 11, of a borehole 9 cemented in place with primary cement 10 which penetrates a producingformation, not shown, and extends above the water or :sea level 6. Casing 11 encloses a string of production tubing which is provided with a packer 8 to close off the annulus A below. Enclosing the top of casing and tubing is a conventional well-head assembly 7. The device as illustrated in Figs. l through 4 is shown positioned in the tubing string adjacent its upper errd but it will be understood that the device could be positioned at any depth above the packer 8.

The apparatus of the present invention operates in the following manner with respect to Figs. l and 2: in Fig. 1 the device is shown in an open condition with pressure being supplied to the pressure chamber 28 from the earths surface through conduit 30 forcing the sleeve 34 downwardly overcoming the spring member 58 and causing the mandrel 36 to open the expansible closure members, such as ysprings 39. The mandrel 36 seats with the surface 42 on the seating surface 19 of seating member 18. Thus the ports 43 are closed off from uid flowing up the passageway 27.

If, for any reason, such as uncontrolled well flow, it is desired to close off the annulus A between the tubing and casing, pressure is released from the chamber 28 through the conduit 30 which causes the spring member 58 to force the sleeve 34 upwardly into the chamber 28. The rod member 37 moves upwardly into the passageway 32 closing off the lateral passageway 33. As the sleeve 34 moves upwardly by the force of spring 58, the mandrel 36 is also carried upwardly such that the taper 40 matingly engages with the taper 41, allowing the spring members 39 to assume their normal position overlapping, as shown in Fig. 2, to close off the passageway 27 in the tubing. Fluid pressure from the passageway 27 below the closure 39a then passes through port 43 into the space S between the expandable packing member 17 and the mandrel 14 causing the packing member 17 to move into sealing engagement with the casing 11. Thus in accordance with the present invention, release of pressure from the chamber 2S causes both the annulus A and lche passageway 27 to be closed off automatically.

The device of Figs. 3 and 4 operates similarly with respect to the device of Figs. l and 2 in that pressure in chamber 28 forces the sleeve 34 into its lowermost position overcoming the spring 58 and causing the mandrel 70 to seat with its surface 73 on the seat 19 of the seating member 18. On release of pressure from chamber 28, the spring member 58 forces the sleeve 34 to its uppermost position pulling the mandrel 70 upwardly and releasing the spring 74 and causing the same to form a closure 82 of a conical shape, as shown in Fig. 4, the packing member 14 being forced into sealing relationshipiwith the casing 11 byffuid introduced through port 43 intonthe space 8, thus closing the annulus A and the passageway 27.

It will be seen from Athe foregoing description taken with the drawing that there has been provided a new and improved subsurface blowout preventer. Thus when pressure is reduced to a predetermined value in the pressure chamber either through mishap to surface facilities er by deliberate manipulation of pressure release, the spring member expands to raise the mandrel from a seat and seal and cause the device to close automatically. The spring expansion may be assisted by well pressure acting below the sleeve to move the sleeve and the attached mandrel up through the rubber-covered leaf-type closure members composed of the leaf-spring members which close to effect a shutoff of tubing flow. The upward movement of the slidable sleeve closes of the discharge from the interior of the packing member and allows the packing member to be expanded into sealing relationship with the well casing.

The present invention has numerous advantages and is very useful in automatically shutting in wells in water locations below the mud or water level in the event of damage to the surface equipment. While the invention may have greatest utility in water locations or in offshore operations, it has application to any well where it is desired to control the flow of same below the surface from which operations are conducted.

The invention is of great utility in that the pressure which is to be controlled also serves to activate the mechanism.

T he device of the present invention also allows pumping through the tubing such as, for example, with mud to kill the well, the closure employed in the tubing being effective to close the tubing from flow upwardly therein. This requires a squeeze kill since circulation through the annulus is not possible.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed well bores adapted to close off the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close off said tubing, comprising a first tubular mandrel positioned in said tubing and having at least one port intermediate the length thereof, an inflatable packer member arranged on said first mandrel and enclosing said port, an annular pressure chamber formed by said mandrel and tubing, an annular piston slidably arranged in said pressure chamber movable between first and second positions, a second tubular mandrel connected to said piston and movable therewith, leaf springs secured to said first mandrel adapted to close ofi and open the bore of said first mandrel below said second mandrel when said piston is in said first and said second positions, respectively, sealing means on said mandrels adapted to close off and open fluid communication between the interior and exterior of said mandrels through said port when said piston is in said second and first positions, respectively, biasing means positioned between said piston and said leaf springs adapted to urge said piston to said first position, a conduit connected to a source of fluid pressure, a first passageway in said first mandrel fluidly communicating said pressure chamber and said conduit whereby application of fiuid pressure to said pressure chamber through said passageway moves said piston from said first to said second position against the urging of said biasing means thereby actuating said leaf springs and maintaining the bore of said first mandrel open, a second passageway in said rst mandrel extending between said annulus and said pressure chamber, a rod member connected to said piston and movable therewith extending into said second passageway adapted to seal off said pressure chamber from said annulus and a third passageway in said mandrel iluidly communicating said second passageway and the interior of said packer member, sealing means arranged in said second passageway adapted to engage with said rod, said rod closing off fluid communication between said third passageway and Vsaid annulus when engaged Iwith said sealing means and opening fluid communication between said third passageway and said annulus when disengaged from said sealing means, said sealing means and rod engagement and disengagement occurring when said piston is in said first and second positions, respectively.

2. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed well bores adapted to close off the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close off said tubing, comprising a first tubular mandrel positioned in said tubing and having at least one port intermediate the length thereof, an inliatable packer member arranged on said first mandrel and enclosing said port, an annular pressure chamber formed by said mandrel and tubing, an annular piston slidably arranged in said pressure chamber movable between `first and second positions, a second tubular mandrel connected to said piston and movable therewith, leaf springs secured to said first mandrel adapted to close off and open the bore of said first mandrel below said second mandrel when said piston is in said first and said second positions, respectively, sealing means on said mandrels adapted to close oli? and open liuid communication between the interior and exterior of said mandrels through said port when said piston is in said second and first positions, respectively, biasing means positioned between said piston and said leaf springs adapted to urge said piston to said first position, a conduit connected to a source of fluid pressure, a rst passageway in said first mandrel fluidly communicating said pressure chamber and said conduit whereby application of fluid pressure to said pressure chamber through said passageway moves said piston `from said first to said second position against the urging of said biasing means thereby actuating said leaf springs and maintaining the bore of said first mandrel open, a second passageway in said rst mandrel extending between said annulus and said pressure chamber, a third passageway in said mandrel fiuidly communicating said second passageway and the interior of said packer, sealing means arranged in said second passageway and means connected to said piston adapted to close off fluid communication between s aid third passageway and said annulus when engaged with said sealing means and to open Huid communication between said third passageway and said annulus when disengaged from said sealing means, said engagement and disengagement occurring when said piston is in said first and second positions, respectively.

3. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed well bores adapted to close off the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close off said tubing comprising a first tubular mandrel positioned in said tubing and having at least one port intermediate the length thereof, an inatable packer member arranged on said first mandrel and enclosing said port, an annular pressure charnber formed by said mandrel and tubing, an annular piston slidably arranged in said pressure chamber and movable between first and second positions, a second tubular mandrel connected to said piston and movable therewith, leaf springs secured to said first mandrel adapted to close off and open the bore of said first mandrel below said second mandrel when said piston isin said first and said second positions, respectively, sealing means on said mandrels adapted to close off and open fluid communication between the interior and exterior of said mandrels through sai-d port when said piston is in said second and first positions, respectively, biasing means positioned between `said piston and said leaf lsprings adapted to urge said piston to said` first position, a conduit connected to a source of fluid pressure, a first passageway in said first mandrel fluidly communicating said pressure chamber and said conduit whereby application of fluid pressure to said pressure chamber through said passageway moves said piston from said first to said second position against the urging of said biasing means thereby actuating said leaf springs and maintaining the bore of said first mandrel open, and liuid conducting means arranged in said mandrel for exhausting fiuid from said g packer when said piston is in said second position, sealing means arranged in said fluid conducting means and means connected to said piston adapted to close oi fluid flow from said exhaust means when engaged with said sealing means, said engagement occurring when said piston is in a first position. t 4. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed well bores adapted to close oli the annulus between said tubing and casing and to close ofi said tubing, comprising a first tubular mandrel positioned in said tubing and having at least one port intermediate the length thereof, an inflatable packer member arranged on said first mandrel and enclosing said port, an annular pressure chamber formed by said mandrel and tubing, an annular piston slidably arranged in said pressure chamber and movable between rst and second positions, a second tubular mandrel connected to said piston and movable `therewith, leaf springs secured to said first mandrel adapted to close ofi and open the bore of said first mandrel below `said second mandrel when said piston is in said first and said second positions, respectively, sealing means on said mandrels adapted to close off and open fiuid communication between the interior and exterior of said mandrels through said port when said piston is in said second and first positions, respectively, biasing means positioned between said piston and said leaf springs adapted to urge said piston to said first position, a conduit connected to a source of fluid pressure, and a first passageway in said first mandrel fiuidly communicating said pressure chamber and said conduit whereby application of fluid pressure to said pressure chamber through said passageway moves said piston from said first to said second position against the `urging of said biasing means thereby actuating said leaf springs and maintaining the bore of said first mandrel open. t

5. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed well bores adapted to close off the annulus between said tubing and casing and to disclose ofi said tubing, com-, -f

prising a first tubular mandrel positioned in said tubing having at least one port fluidly communicating the nterior and exterior of said mandrel, an infiatable packer member arranged on said first mandrel and enclosing said port, an annular pressure chamber formed by said mandrel and tubing, an annular piston slidably arranged` in said pressure chamber and movable between first and second positions, a Isecond tubular mandrel connected to said piston and movable therewith, leaf springs secured to said first mandrel adapted to close off and open the bore of said mandrel below said second mandrel when said piston is in said first and second positions, respectively, sealing means on said mandrels adapted to close A off and open fiuid communication between the interior and exterior of said mandrels through said port when said piston is in said second and rst positions, respectively, said port being adapted to transmit fiuid pressure from said tubing to said packer member to iniiate said packer member, biasing means positioned between said piston and said leaf springs adapted to urge said piston to said first position, fiuid conducting means connected to said pressure chamber adapted to supply fluid pressure thereto whereby application of fluid pressure to said chamber moves said piston from said first to said second r position against the urging of said biasing means thereby actuating said leaf springs and maintaining the bore of said first mandrel lopen and valve controlled fluid conducting means arranged on said first mandrel for exhausting fiuid from said packer member when said piston is in` said second position and for preventing exhaust of fiuid from said packer member when said piston is in said first position.

6. A subsurface blowout preventer for cased and tubed well bores adapted to close olf theannulus `between said tubing and casing and to close ot said tubing, compris-` of said packer means and the interior of said tubing and said third valve means to prevent exhaust of Huid pressure from the interior of said packer means, Huid pressure means for moving said uid pressure movable means from said rst to said second position and biasing 5 means arranged on said tubing adapted to move said uid pressure movable means from said second to said rst position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

